Union of BC Indian Chiefs congratulates Iroquois Confederacy Chief Alan McNaughton and the Mohawk People of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 28, 2007

On behalf of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, we would to congratulate the Mohawk People of the Grand River territory on their one year anniversary of successfully reclaiming part of their territory that was ceded to them as part of the Haldimand Proclamation some 200 years ago.

We fully support the view of the Confederacy Chiefs, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Provincial Police insofar as their collective condemnation of the Government of Canada's refusal to take full responsibility for resolving the land rights dispute at Caledonia, Ontario

Recently, the Government of Canada's Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs released a report concerning the growing tensions and frustrations attached to unresolved Native land-right disputes in Canada. The Senate Report was entitled, "Negotiation or Confrontation - It's Canada's Choice".

Obviously, as we have witnessed in Caledonia, Prime Minister Harper and Minister of Indian Affairs have chosen, through their deliberate refusal to take a leadership role in resolving the standoff at Caledonia, the dangerous and volatile path of confrontation.

Alongside many other First Nations Elders, Leaders, Aboriginal organizations, Grassroots people, human rights groups and organizations, the Union of. BC Indian Chiefs continue to support the Elders, Confederacy Chiefs and Haudenasaune People of the Six Nations of the Grand River.

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For further commentGrand Chief Stewart Phillip, (604) 684-0231

UBCIC is a NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.